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Posted by Allen Newton
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3 July, 2026
NEW vehicle imports through the Port of Fremantle are continuing to grow.
The port recorded its strongest March throughput in three years as Western Australia’s automotive demand remains strong.
Fremantle handled 10,572 new vehicles in March 2026, up from 9884 in March 2025 and 8947 in March 2024. The figures reflect a steady recovery in global automotive supply chains and a return to consistent ro-ro scheduling after several years of disruption.
Although Fremantle Ports does not publish EV‑specific import data, national import ratios and WA sales trends indicate that electric vehicles now make up a significant portion of ro-ro arrivals.
Based on FCAI and ABS import shares adjusted for WA’s above‑average EV uptake, DCN estimates that around 1,640 EVs arrived through Fremantle in March 2026, compared with 1,235 in March 2025 and 850 in March 2024. The figures reflect a steady rise in EV demand and the port’s growing role as Western Australia’s primary entry point for electric vehicles.
Used‑vehicle imports also increased year‑on‑year, rising from 1905 units in March 2024 to 2311 in 2025 and 2890 in 2026.
Ro-ro vessel calls have grown in line with volumes, with 18 ships arriving in March 2026 compared with 17 the previous year and 15 in March 2024.
Industry analysts attribute the growth to stabilised international manufacturing, improved semiconductor availability and strong WA consumer demand, particularly for SUVs and electric vehicles. Fremantle remains the state’s primary gateway for new vehicles, handling almost all passenger‑vehicle imports into Western Australia.
The March results continue a broader upward trend for the port, which processed 128,239 new vehicles in the 2023–24 financial year — its highest annual total on record.
Fremantle Ports says ro-ro operations have remained steady, with berth availability and landside processing keeping pace with increased volumes. The port is also preparing for further growth as manufacturers ramp up EV shipments into Australia.
Although Fremantle Ports does not publish country‑of‑origin data for vehicle imports, national ABS import figures and ro-ro carrier schedules indicate that most vehicles arriving at the port in March were sourced from Japan (40–45%), China (25–30%), South Korea (15–18%) and Thailand (10–12%), with smaller volumes from Europe and the United States.
EVs show a different pattern, with China supplying around 75–80% of electric vehicles entering Western Australia, followed by Europe and South Korea. The origin mix reflects global manufacturing trends and Fremantle’s role as WA’s primary gateway for new vehicles.
